Flask to bloom times
 

I've been pondering buying a flask and givng it a go this Summer. I've bought seedlings, and am not having any trouble getting them to grow like weeds. I think this would be a fun way to expand my collection over time.

I know the time to reach mature flowering size varies depending on species, but I was wondering if there were some basic guidlines. I'd be most likely looking at oncidium, cattleya, or zygopetalum, or vanda, but am also open to other species.

Can anyone point me in the right direction. Are there some species which mature much faster? Which ones are the tortises of the bunch?

All input greatly appreciated! :biggrin:
Thanks!

I've been talking to my local growers about this very subject. From what I gather so far, in general it will take 3 to 7 years to get a blooming plant from flask. But that's in general as there many variables besides age.

I'm not sure about the Zygopetalum. But Phals seem to be one of the fastest at about 2-3 years, Cattleyas come in at about 3 years, with Vandas being the tortoises taking up to the full 7 years. Some Dens are fast to reach adulthood as well. Some seedlings will be duds and never flower. I'm sure someone on here has more complete info.

Have you considered compots? They would have a year of growth already and would reduce your wait times.

My quickest has been Tolumnia/Rodrumnia cross. They were deflasked in July and I have three in spike now.

Phals are my second quickest -18 mo. to 24 mo. for most of them to bloom.

Catts are supposed to be 5-7 years. I'll let you know in several years how long my two Laelia seedlings take to bloom. Out of flask in July and they are still quite small.

The jury is still out on my Psychopsis and Lycaste seedlings. These two species have been my hardest to take from flask to compots without losing quite a few of the smallest seedlings. The others have been easy with very little loss.

Brooke

:shock: 5-7 years? I'm pleased i'm not living where you are!!

:scratchhead: For me Dens. take 6 months, Rhyncostilis take about the longest at three years, Vandas take around 18-24 months to flower with the Catts coming in at about one year.

WOW!?!?!?! Catts from flask to bloom in 12 months!! What kind are they and what is your secret??

You're living in Paradise, Roger! :cloud9:
What a great turn-around time for you! :clap:

:rofl: The names actually Peter:blushing:

Things are good here for almost every plant. You can almost see roses growing and things like pumpkins and cucumber/marrows/gourds etc seem to grow around a foot per day:shock:

And yes you are right.... This is paradise here.

Doesn't take much to confuse me these days! :coverlaugh:

Hello Peter :waving

:lol:

:waving Hello there.

Just don't get a flask of Paph sanderianum.

The "rule-of-thumb" with them is to never sell a seedling to someone older than 40, or they might never see it bloom.